Viper's Bugloss
Echium vulgare

This Class B noxious weed also known as blueweed has a limited distribution, and control is required in King County. The major infestations in the state are found in eastern WA but it is occasionally found in King County on disturbed roadsides and construction areas as well as in ornamental gardens.

A member of the borage family, the bright blue flowers of this plant are found on the distinctive fiddleneck coil at the end of the flowering stems. Flowers are visible from June to August. This taprooted biennial is covered with stiff, bristly hairs and flecks of swollen purple blotches at the base of long stem hairs. Plants grow to about 32" tall and spread by seed.

This noxious weed is competitive in rangelands and in non-cropland areas. It is unpalatable and it crowds out beneficial grazing plants.

If you find viper's bugloss in King County, please notify us through our online infestation form.

To find out where we have records of this weed in King County, use our interactive noxious weed map and search for viper's bugloss or blueweed.

Viper's bugloss photos - click thumbnail for larger image